Paris is hitting the headlines this morning, after plans have been put forward for review that could see motorcycles banned from the streets after dark, in a bid to curb nighttime noise.
The Connexion reports that the ban being talked about could come into effect between 22:00 and 07:00. It’s also reported that there would be some exceptions to the rule, and those travelling to or from work and others who are required to travel between those hours allowed to continue doing so.
The scheme is the brainchild of Horizons councillor Pierre-Yves Bournazel, who claims that this kind of nighttime noise is a “scourge” for Parisians. He’s already approached the Paris City Council, pushing for a one-year trial period for the scheme.
Understandably, with a huge number of Parisians using lightweight powered two-wheelers as their primary source of local transport, the news has been met with significant amounts of criticism and anger. The Connexion reports that Jean-Marc Belotti, FFMC for Paris and the inner suburbs, has called the plans into doubt, citing that other late-night traffic makes just as much noise as the congestion-saving two-wheelers.
“We make noise like other road users,” he said, “but I can tell you that most of the noise [on the roads] is generated by heavy vehicles passing over cobbles, and by horns and sirens.” And you’d have to agree - it’s hard to understand why a 5:30 or 6am commercial bin collection can go ahead when young Pierre on his pedal-and-pop Puch Maxi is barred from riding to his tennis lesson.
It’s been a tumultuous time for motorists in Paris of late, with planned changes to parking charges for the heaviest and most polluting vehicles, to free motorcycle parking ending and a rise in motorcycle street parking rates across the board.
